MCS sweeps SCS for sixth win

A Mt. Carmel School player prepares to serve to Saipan Community School during the second set of their game in the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League last Tuesday at the SCS court in Susupe. (Roby N. Pamintuan)

Mount Carmel School notched its sixth victory in the middle school division of the 2018-2019 Commonwealth Coalition of Private Schools Association Volleyball League after sweeping host Saipan Community School, 25-21, 25-20, last Tuesday.

The first set of the game at the SCS court in Susupe was firmly in the Knights’ control, as Kaitlyn Chavez, Kayili Peter, and Ruben Guerrero racked up several serves in succession and the rest of MCS players clamped down to play defense against SCS’ returns. Mt. Carmel eventually cruised to a double-digit winning margin and moved one victory away from wrapping up the match.

The second set started off in a similar way as the opener with the Knights taking a 23-14 lead before the Tsunamis servers and spikers started heating up to mount a comeback. With SCS down by 9 points, the home team pulled together and unloaded a 6-0 run, cutting the deficit to just 3. However, with the game on the line, the Knights got their acts together and squashed SCS’ run to gain the outright victory.

Mt. Carmel and SCS are playing in the final stages of the regular season and both are feeling the pressure of the approaching playoffs.

The Knights’ Brandy Matsumoto described the game as enjoyable for her and her teammates despite nearly squandering their lead in the second set. She also acknowledged the gravity of the upcoming playoffs and said the rest of the MCS team will be focusing on honing their fundamentals, such as bumping and serving.

SCS’s head coach TJ Van Weerdhuizen, likewise, made similar comments.

“I think the main thing that we’re working on going into the playoffs is just continuing to work on the fundamentals.”

Van Weerduizen added that he will keep on instilling confidence to his players as the playoff round nears. Both MCS and SCS have one game remaining on their schedule before the playoffs take place.

Meanwhile, in other results last Tuesday, Grace Christian Academy 2 beat Seventh Day Adventist in straight sets, 25-11, 21-15, while Agape Christian School 1 bested Agape 2 in three, 25-13, 23-25, 15-11.

With Agape 1 prevailing, it improved its record to 9-1 and is still in second place behind the unbeaten GCA 1 (11-0). GCA 2 is ranked third with its 8-4 slate and followed by MCS (6-5), SIS (5-6), SCS (4-9), SDA (2-9), and ACS (1-12).

The playoff round will start on Oct. 16, while the semifinals will be held on Oct. 17, and the championship game is scheduled for Oct. 18. Venue for the playoff games will be announced later.